See also:

Comparisons:

The Roches are the closest I can think to Kate & Anna McGarrigle—their sound and aesthetic is unique. (Neile)

Covers/own material:

Mostly own, some covers and co-written songs, some traditional French Canadian songs

General comments:

Amusing images and lyrics, odd harmonies, lively and heartbreaking songs, The McGarrigles have a truly unique sound. They are probably an acquired taste, but an easily acquired one, as they're so much fun. (Neile)

I just wanted to stress that it is my humble *opinion* that Kate and Anna are better than Kate Bush and Happy Rhodes. Kate and Anna are folksingers, which more suits the kind of music I like to listen to. Most everybody else on Ecto would like to have my head examined, I'm sure, for saying Kate and Anna are better than Happy. That having been said, though, please do check out the McGarrigle sisters! They are breathtakingly brilliant songwriters and they harmonize so beautifully together! (snooterbooter@yahoo.com)

Produced by:

Joe Boyd & Greg Prestopino

Comments:

Their first collection is just now being reissued on cd. This is a wonderful collection. They're great from the start, with magical songs like "Heart Like A Wheel" (later covered by Linda Ronstadt). (Neile)

Produced by:

Joe Boyd

Comments:

This is perhaps their best collection. Even Rolling Stone and Village Voice recognized how great this is. Some terrific songs—get this. "Southern Boys" alone is worth the price, but there are so many other wonderful songs that will live in your head forever! (Neile)

Produced by:

David Nitchtern

Comments:

This is perhaps my least favourite of their collections, and is the only one that hasn't been re-released on cd. It does still have some wonderful songs, like their classic clever song, "NaCl" (later re-recorded on The McGarrigle Hour) which uses the chemistry of salt as a metaphor for romance. (Neile)

Produced by:

Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Michel Pepin, Pierre Marchand

Comments:

If it hadn't been for discovering Heather Nova this would be my favorite of the year. There is not a song on it that I don't like. If you liked their last (Heartbeats Accelerating), you'll love this one...it's even better, and not as depressing. Don't get me wrong, I loved Heartbeats Accelerating, but it did have some beautifully depressing songs.
The last song on the CD ("The Bike Song") is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. It has the most wonderful ethereal backing vocals...very ecto, in my opinion. Parts of "Talk About It" remind me of Mary Margaret O'Hara. There is one song in French called "Arbre" that has the most amazing violin. I don't understand French, but that doesn't get in the way of my enjoyment of the song at all. (spike45@sos.sos.net)

So happy they have a new album. Not quite as wonderful as some of their earlier stuff (my favourite is still Dancer With Bruised Knees) but it will grow on me more as all of their other albums have. (Neile)

Comments:

This is an album almost entirely in French, and to my ear is a return to form for the McGarrigles. It's fairly mellow compared to previous albums, but quite delightful and full of the McGarrigles' unique harmonies. Recommended. (Neile)

DISCLAIMER: Comments and reviews in the Ectophiles' Guide are excerpted from the ecto mailing list or volunteered by members of the list. They are the opinions of music enthusiasts, not professional music critics.

Entry last updated 2017-11-28 00:20:36.
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